Fiction

Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult

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small great things

Pages: 481 (Hardback Book)

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Published: Ocotber 11, 2016

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I know when I open a Jodi Picoult book I know I’m going to be questioning many things I believe and thought. Small Great Things was no exception. Many times while reading I became disturbed, emotional and found I had to walk away from the book. It did keep me up to 4am as at one point I couldn’t put it down.

The story is about Ruth, a black Labor and Delivery nurse; Turk, an Aryan Nation leader; and Kennedy, a defense attorney. Ruth is accused of killing Turk’s newborn baby and Kennedy takes Ruth case. The question becomes is the lawsuit race based or a nurse failing to do her job.

I never thought of myself as racist or one who pays attention to color. This book will make you think about that to the extreme. I liked how Picoult wrote from all points of view and made you feel what the characters were experiencing.

I was greatly disturbed learning about the Aryan Nation. I know it exists but I didn’t know how will hidden they could be in society. Absolutely terrifying. I guess I live in more of a protected bubble than I realized.

I am very interested to see how close the movie (release date not yet set) will follow the book. I have read Julia Roberts and Viola Davis are set to star in the movie. Very interesting strong women picked to play these characters.

Read with an open mind and heart. Be prepared for heartache and moments of self-reflection. It’s not a book for the faint of heart.

Blind Descent (Anna Pigeon #6) by Nevada Barr

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blind descent

Pages: 336 (eBook)

Publisher: Berkley

Published: March 23, 1998 (original published date)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Warning: If you are claustrophobic or even think you are beware you will find yourself breathing heavy while reading. Ms. Barr does such a fantastic job describing the Lechuguilla cave and what Anna Pigeon experiences you become one with Anna. I had to uncurl my fingers and toes while reading many times.

In book six, Anna finds herself called from Colorado to New Mexico to the Lechuguilla cave to help rescue her friend and co-worker, Frieda. Anna must overcome her fear of tight and confined spaces to begin the rescue. Anna soon learns that everything is not as it should be or appears. Can Anna save her friend and herself before evil wins?

I am really enjoying this series and continue to question myself why I stopped reading the series. It may be I had to find the books first. My goal is to complete this series to the current book by the end of 2018. At times I feel there is too much technical description but I later learn it was necessary. These are books you have to give your full attention to or you will miss the key part that ties the book together.

Endangered Species (Anna Pigeon #5) by Nevada Barr

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endangered species.jpg

Pages: 305 (paperback)

Publisher: Berkley Publishing

Published: March 1997 (original published date)

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

In the fifth installment of the Anna Pigeon series we join park ranger, Anna, as she works on Cumberland Island off the Georgia coast. While she is patrolling the area with another ranger they see smoke. Cumberland Island is dried timber and vegetation just waiting to go up in seconds. As they race to the source they find a drug interdiction plane has crashed killing both pilot and passenger. They soon learn the passenger is not the passenger that was to be in the plane. Join Anna and her fellow rangers as they unravel this mystery on an island that does not take too kindly to outsiders interfering.

I am a fan of the Anna Pigeon series as the books are based in true national parks. Some I have heard of and many I have not. I get to visit and learn of parks I may never get to visit in real life.

I liked this book but there were a lot of scenes that just felt like filler to me and did not add mush to the story line. I really enjoyed the scenes that discussed the sea turtles and wished they had played more of a role.

Anna Pigeon, the main character, is a strong woman who has had a rough past. Every now and then you will see cracks in her armor but she quickly seals them up. Her current love interest, Frederick, is in the story off and on and well, let’s just say he is a jerk. Read it and see if you agree.

This is one series I plan on getting caught up on in 2018.

The View from Rainshadow Bay (Lavender Tides #1) by Colleen Coble

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the view from rainshadow bay.jpg

Pages: 336 (eBook)

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Published: January 23, 2018

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

What a great way to start off my romantic suspense reading for 2018. I could not figure out who the bad guys were until they were revealed. I love that!

Shauna is trying to make a life for herself and her 5 year old son after her husband dies while on a rock climbing adventure with his best friend Zach. Zach has never been able to forgive himself for the death of Jack. One day while Shauna was visiting a family friend he gives her a box and told her to give it to his estranged wife for safekeeping. As she is driving away the house explodes killing her friend. Shauna realizes it was no ordinary explosion and that the mysterious box and its contents have something to do with the explosion. Shauna enlists the help of Zack even though she blames him for her husbands death. Can Shauna and Zach figure out why the box is so important before others are killed or worse them?

You will be on the edge of your seat reading The View from Rainshadow Bay. There are several mysteries tied into the main mystery and your mind will be continuing to think about what is happening next. I caught myself several times still reading at 3am as I could not put the book down. The characters are well thought out and every action and reaction is true life.

I cannot wait for the second book in the series to be released this July.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for an advanced copy in exchange for a review based on my own thoughts and opinions.

The Girls in the Picture by Melanie Benjamin

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the girls in the picture

Pages: 448

Publisher: Random House Publishers (Delacorte Press)

Published: January 16, 2018

Rating 3.5 stars.

Mary Pickford started as a silent “flicker” actress and continued acting when “talkers” were introduced. She made her stardom as portraying the “little girl with the curls.” One day early in her career a young woman from San Francisco, Marion Frances, entered her acting trailer and life for both changed drastically. Marion wanted to be behind the camera and Mary wanted to be in front. This allowed Marion to write the screenplays that Mary could act in. We follow their lives as they intertwine and separate over the years of 1914 to 1969.

I was very excited to get an advanced copy to read as I did not know much about Mary Pickford, other than she was an actress and I had never heard of Marion Frances (who I think was the real star of the two). While I think this book is very interesting, it has many parts that just seemed to lack excitement and drug on for way too long. I would be reading and really into it and then I would hit a section that I had to force myself to get through. This is my main reason for a 3.5 rating and not a 4.

It is extremely interesting that there is a section that Marion talks about the sexual harassment she experienced in Hollywood and while she was a correspondent during World War One. With the movement going on the last couple of weeks regarding sexual harassment I find myself believing that Marion would have been one of the first to speak out in favor of equality and women telling their stories.

If you are an avid Hollywood fan and want to learn about how it got started this is a great historical fiction based on real people. Ms. Benjamin did an excellent job researching each character and keeping as much as she could true to fact.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advanced copy in exchange for a review in my own honest words.

Smash Cut (Mitchell & Associates #1) by Sandra Brown

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smash cut

Pages: 489

Publisher: Pocket Books (Simon and Schuster)

Published: July 20, 2010

Smash Cut opens with the murder of Paul Wheeler, an Atlanta, Georgia millionaire. Julie, Paul’s mistress, is standing with him in the elevator when he is brutally murdered and dies in her arms. As the police investigate they start pointing fingers at Julie saying she set up the murder to get her hands on his money. Julie points fingers at Creighton, Paul’s nephew and spoiled little rich boy. Creighton’s parents hire defense attorney, Derek Mitchell, to represent Creighton but unbeknownst to them there is a conflict of interest as Derek knows Julie. Can Derek solve Paul’s murder before becoming a victim himself?

I have been on a Sandra Brown reading spree the past few weeks and this is the best so far. At times very violent and disturbing but unfortunately there are people in this world like the murderer. Several times I had to put the book down and take a breather. This book is not for the faint of heart or if you do not like reading violent scenes. Some sexual content throughout the book.

I warn against starting the book before bed as you may find yourself still reading when your wake up alarm sounds.

The Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas

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the sound of rain

Pages: 326

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Published: November 7, 2017

The Sound of Rain is thought-provoking and comforting all at the same time. Judd Markley finds himself in South Carolina after recovering from a mining accident that took Joe, his baby brother’s, life. Joe always wanted to move to SC and Judd is trying to live the life Joe wanted. Judd starts working at the local timber company and starts spending time with the owner’s daughter, Larkin. Larkin has a mind of her own which she is just starting to show to those around her. Her dream is to move to Appalachia and help those in need. She sees the ticket to Appalachia through Joe not realizing he does not want to go back. Through many ups and downs including Hurricane Hazel Judd and Larkin find themselves falling for one another. Is Judd just a pawn for Larkin’s father and Larkin herself or can love overcome the economic difference in their lives?

I took my time reading this book as it made me think. I thought about the time period (1950s) it took place and wondered how I would have chosen to live my life. Would I have wanted to be unselfish and volunteer my time helping others or would I have lived in the moment and had fun hanging out with friends dancing and finding the right husband? Maybe having been into money the choice was easy for Larkin?

I admired Judd in basically starting a new life with barely a duffel bag full of clothing in a city and state he had never been too and working at a job that he had no experience working. I would have been terrified.

Judd talks about how he was not real religious but he knew God was there for him always. Even though he was not a church-going man he never lost his faith in God when things got trying. I found that refreshing in that a character could have faith without it being thrown at the reader every other page.

Whether you are a Christian fiction reader or not I suggest you grab a copy of this book. Sarah Loudin Thomas has outdone herself with her newest novel. This novel was clean with no sex, foul language or violence. It would make a great Christmas gift for the older teenage girl, grandma or best friend in your life.

Thank you to the author and Bethany House Publishers for a copy to read in exchange for my honest review in my own words.

, Published: November

Book Club Babies (Cherry Cola Book Club #6) by Ashton Lee

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book club babies

Pages: 272

Publisher: Kensington

Published: November 28, 2017

How can I start my final review on one of my favorite fiction series? Perhaps with the idea that Mr. Lee may revisit Cherico, MS in the future through the eyes of the second generation. I like to believe that as I am not ready to say goodbye. Each installment of the Cherry Cola Book Club has brought me comfort and joy as I read them. I became friends with Maura Beth, Periwinkle, Voncile and etc.

Book Club Babies takes us through the pregnancies of Maura Beth, Periwinkle and Elise. Each pregnancy has its own ups and downs with outside influences but each finds a way to overcome with the love and support of one another. I don’t want to go into too much detail because I would like you to pick up this series and be as surprised, sadden and happy as I was through each chapter. The ending is a sweet way to introduce the second generation of the book club. It gives one hope that brick and mortar libraries and reading is not becoming lost in this world of technology.

I love the fact that Mr. Lee put the recipes from all the books at the end of Book Club Babies instead of creating a separate book. It made me think he gifted us readers with a treat for reading his series and talking about it to all our friends. I cannot wait to try a few at my next family gathering.

If you have not read this series I suggest you do as soon as you can. You will not be disappointed. To help you get started let me give you the books in order:

1. The Cherry Cola Book Club
2. The Reading Circle
3. The Wedding Circle
4. A Cherry Cola Christmas
5. Queen of the Cookbook
6. Book Club Babies

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy to read and review in my own honest words.

Journey Back to Christmas by Leigh Duncan

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journey back to christmas

Pages: 154

Publisher: Crown Media Holdings

Published: October 17, 2017

I loved this Christmas movie when it debuted last year on the Hallmark Channel so I was very excited to learn of the ebook based on the movie. If you enjoyed the movie you will enjoy the book. It will leave you feeling warm and happy.

The book does expand in some areas more than the book but the book stays true to the movie (words I have never uttered before). You love the characters even more after reading the book. Hanna is a nurse in 1945 mourning the loss of her husband Chet. A blizzard is starting to hit the town on December 22 which is the same night as a comet is to cross the sky. As Hanna is settling in for the night a lost dog wonders up to her house and sets off a chain of events that sends her the year of 2016. As Hanna is trying to figure out if she will ever return to her life she learns how her life of caring has affected others in ways she never dreamed.

As always I suggest reading the book then watch the movie. You will be in the Christmas spirit at the end of both.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crown Media Holdings for a copy to read in exchange for a review based on my own thoughts and put into my own words.

Home for Christmas by Holly Chamberlin

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home for christmas

Pages: 256

Publisher: Kensington

Published: October 31, 2017

Holly Chamberlin is fast becoming one of my authors I turn to when I want some feel good family love. Home for Christmas is the second Christmas novel I have read of hers and it was a warm, cuddly read.

It is the Christmas season in Yorktide, Maine and Nell is trying to make a season her two daughters won’t forget. Nell fears this is the last Christmas she will have her daughters before life takes them away. She turns to crafting and cooking to help her make it beautiful and fulfilling. One day while reading the local paper she sees an ad for a book reading and signing for Eric Manville, a famous writer who happens to be her one true love. Nell now needs to decide if she should see him and see if he has forgiven her or hide behind her Christmas quest of making it the best yet for her daughters.

If you love books that make your heart melt and are full of all things Christmassy then Home for Christmas is the book for you. Grab a warm blanket, a cup of tea and settle in for a winter’s read you won’t soon forget.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review in my own words.